Since fisheries resources are a part of our common heritage their effective protection and sustainable use need to be guaranteed through common efforts. In order to achieve this goal, the Slovenian Presidency will continue encouraging the conservation and sustainable management of fisheries resources. During the Slovenian Presidency, the Council will consider several proposals that concern measures for the conservation of resources, increased control, enforcement and inspection as well as the conclusion of fisheries partnership agreements with third countries.
It is widely recognised that the illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing represents one of the most serious threats worldwide to the sustainability of fish stocks and marine biodiversity. Therefore, the Slovenian Presidency will accord high priority to the legislative proposal by the Commission to combat IUU fishing. Accompanying this proposal, efforts to achieve sustainable use of resources will be promoted through the Commission Communication and the proposal for a Council Regulation to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems from destructive fishing practices.
Another important goal will be the simplification of technical measures with the forthcoming amendment of the Council Regulation (EC) No 850/98 for the conservation of fishery resources through technical measures for the protection of juveniles of marine organisms.
In light of the current situation of fish stocks and continued excessive fishing, the Slovenian Presidency will endorse measures for the recovery and conservation of certain fish stocks. Special attention will be paid to the measures for the recovery and management of cod and herring stocks.
The Slovenian Presidency will continue with the well established frontloading exercise. We will attach particular importance to the policy statement on fishing opportunities for 2009, prepared by the Commission, which is an important element in the annual setting of the total allowable catch and allocation of quotas.
Priority will also be given to the process for the revision of the Strategy for the Development of European Aquaculture, which was adopted in 2002.
Within the framework of the external fisheries policy the Slovenian Presidency will promote an active role by the European Community in international and regional fisheries organisations and in fostering good fisheries relations with third countries through bilateral fisheries agreements.
